What’s Right With Our Schools: Catoosa County Reality U
CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. (WDEF) – Learning financial literacy at a young age can really pay off in the long run. Catoosa County students recently got a crash course in dollars and cents through a program called Reality U. That’s a bottom-line example of what’s right with our schools.
Charles Nix is the Superintendent for Catoosa County Schools.
He explained, “Reality U is an incredible opportunity for our kids to experience real life adulting. One of the things that we get asked a lot is… can you teach our kids about finance. Can you teach your kids about money; about paying bills. And a lot of our parents don’t know that we do this at all three high schools. And we do it every single year. And it is an incredible opportunity for our kids to learn, here’s how much money you’re going to make. It’s probably dependent upon the job that you get and that’s. And that’s going to determine where you live, what kind of car you drive. And it may determine who you marry.”
Nery Taboada is a freshman at Heritage High School.
Taboada said, “Right now, I just if I get money, you know, I just want to spend it on you know going out places eating. But for the future, or… after um Reality U, it made me realize that in the future I have to save my money for bigger things like getting a car, trans transportation, food and all that.”
“We have kids who buy the Lamborghini, and then when they get to the end of the paycheck, they realize maybe I need to go get a Honda Civic,” Superintendent Nix continued.
Amy Jackson is the President and CEO of the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce.
She said, “[We] started this three years ago it was only we were only able they were only able to hold it in one school. because of the finances. And so, with some funds that were donated for education specifically, uh we’ve been able this is our second year that the chamber has been able to fund this through communities and schools; this is the state version of that. This reality U which is a simulated budgeting uh seminar for the ninth graders, um and it has just been a joy. It’s a great way for our businesses, our local businesses, to give back to their community. They have partnered with us and they have they volunteer their times. Some of them do all three days all three schools. Some do half days just whatever the time they can afford. And they come in and work with the students.”
Michael Colquette is and an American National Insurance agent, operator.
He said, “A lot of kids depend on their parents for everything. So, this Reality U is truly a reality check for them to see what their parents have to pay every month. Whether it’s their car insurance, whether it’s their homeowners, whether it’s paying for childcare, all the things that they take for granted. Uh it’s a true reality check for them.”
“This is going to be in the childcare facility, like a daycare. So, they’re going to get the free the lunch is included, and the outings are included. The message today is here in Catoosa County Public Schools our kids are learning about real world finance today at Heritage High School. and that supports what our parents want our kids to learn about money,” Superintendent Nix concluded.
